[Kitchen Cottage]

 Oh soooo many questions 

Through circumstances I  have ended up with 2 new dogs at the same time.  One is a blind cross breed who has only really lived in a shelter abroad  (Luca).  The other was supposed to be a blind, old, cat friendly, collie size rescue.... but is really a sighted, young, cat hating, Alsatian sized rescue, history unknown (Yellow).. she is very nervous, won't go outside at all but absolutely adorable.

1. Luca barks all the time mainly because the other dogs brush past him and make him nervous.  he is supposed to be a companion dog for Misty (my working cocker) and instead she is nervous now.  Will this get better do you think?  How long before dogs get to like each other.  Never had an issue with her.
  The barking is driving me mad.
2. Luca constantly marks my sofa's... meaning I am washing the covers every day and the floor at least 3 times.
3. Yellow is house trained but won't go outside so has found a place in my kitchen where she poos and pees... not ideal.  In fact, I got her out last night for a minute and she pee'd which was good.

More importantly, Luca is supposed to be my permanent dog.... and I prefer Yellow    I suspect its because she reacts in a different way and I haven't had a blind dog but, after a week.... I don't really like Luca.

What to do?  Would it be better if Yellow was fostered elsewhere (she wasn't supposed to be here at the same time)....

[Backinwellies]

The organisation you are fostering for should support you and be able to answer all your questions.

I do wonder why they would put a blind dog with other dogs which unnerve him .... any good rescue would have tested this first?   I had to take the whole family and other dogs to meet my potential rescue before they were happy he would be suitable for us.   

[ZaktheLad]

I think you need to give them time - particularly Luca who has come all the way from Bulgaria and spent 2 years of his life shut in a cage.  It's no wonder he is feeling nervous and barks a lot given that the environment around him is totally alien and he can't even see it to help him adjust quicker.  Saying you don't like him is rather sad - after all it is not the dogs fault he is in this situation.  Good luck with them all - I hope that given adequate time things will greatly improve.

[Kitchen Cottage]

I foster foreign blind and partially sighted rescues, so meeting wouldn't have been realistic.

I have had 30 blind rescues and none have barked like this.  He isn't well socialised because he lived in a concrete cell for most of his life.... I wasn't told this, I was told he had lived in a pension for a long time.  This is often the case, they will say whatever they need to say to move the dogs on (which is why Yellow became blind I suspect!).

The rescue (which has no facilities other than raising money to bring animals in and rehome) is all volunteers so I'll ring them.

I should say I have fostered over 60 dogs in total and Luca is the most unsocialised.  I am concerned that, at 2, some patterns are set

I do feel rotten I don't like him more   I promise you he doesn't know it and he is getting a lot of cuddles and time spent on him

[doganjo]

A dog behaviorist might be able to help - and please contact the rescue group for help and advice - they should at least have knowledge of where to obtain assistance, and should not leave you to cope alone.  And ask them to find another fosterer for Luca. Believe me he will definitely know that you don't like him any more - no matter how you try to hide it!!!!!

[Old Shep]

Do you keep your fosters crated or each in a separate area such as under the stairs, utility room, shed! etc? They need their own safe space away form your other dogs, and your dogs need their own space too.  In a pack of wild dogs a newcomer would be kept on the fringe for a few weeks whilst they decide if they can join the pack.  My current foster is sleeping in my van because its where he feels safe! So you may have to think creatively!
If you don't get back up from the rescue (they may not have the experience themselves!) you are not too far from Barbara Sykes behaviourist in Eldwick.  There's nothing she doesn't know about rescues and fostering, she runs Freedom of Spirit rescue for border collies.  She does 1 to 1 consults on all breeds though and will def. be able to advise. Good luck!
www.fostbc.org.uk
 

[shygirl]

crumbs, where to start?

it will be difficult taking on 2 rescues at the same time.

if it was me id be using a crate alot, 1 to help house training, and 2 to give them security. forget about the romantic notion of them running free for the moment, treat them as den animals until they have a good secure routine and they feel safe. especially the blind one, as it must be all really scary for him, marking is normal.

my dogs sleep in the conservatory as a rule unless they are invited into the front room. the conservatory tiled is very easy cleaned so spraying/accidental pooping etc isnt a big deal. they are happy as its normal for them.
i personally wouldnt be putting your dogs straight into a furnished house. things like tables and couches are so tempting to pee on! dogs dont have to live inside the house, maybe a kennel would suit, it may even be better if it gives the blind one time to adjust to the changes in his life.
the best book iv ever read on house-training was written by monks who lived in a posh monastry (and bred dogs) and all puppies were literally tied to the monks (1:1) so they had no chance of running off to hide and pee.
this technique might suit you when you dogs are invited into your house - pop a lead on and tie it to your belt, so where you go - they go. youd also act as a guide for the blind dog and help build a relationship with him.

i think all the behaviour you have described is predictable and to be expected. keep a strict routine, use crates.
i wouldnt be putting a blind unsocialised dog loose amongst other strange dogs - it would be completely scary and alien to him. give him a den and increase his space very gradually. his mindset may be set firmly now if he hasnt been socialised at all. you can only do your best. but think from the dogs perspective, not human one.
put things in order of priority for them - food, water, bed, safety, health then exercise and stimulation. dont think about grassy meadows and freedom - that will come in time.

what im trying to say is - make life easier for yourself and dont feel they need couches and the run of the house because they have had a tough life before- especially it makes you stressed by constantly cleaning up pee and poop.

not all dogs like eachother. my terrier and lhaso apso really dont like eachother and i dont expect that to change. we just have to manage them, or they would be at eachothers throats.

good luck and best wishes 
what part of the country are you in?

[Old Shep]

excellent post Shygirl - its what I tried to say but you put it over so well 

[Kitchen Cottage]

Thank you Shygirl and Shep.  I have tried to get hold of the rescue but.... they haven't responded  (in 5 days). 

I've put Luca in the utility room and kept Yellow in (because she is fine) so I will put a dog gate in so Luca can hear me in the kitchen.  I have to say, that was a LOT easier last night

Thank you again, that is such good advice and I am glad I asked.

Shep, that behaviourist is 300 miles away, I did ring "Joe the Dog Man" (that's his trading name) who said he had no ideas because his techniques worked on the dogs seeing each other!  He needs to come on here.  If you don't mind, I suspect I will be back here again 

[Old Shep]

well done KC glad you had an easier night! - sorry an advert came up at the bottom of your post that mentioned Leeds - so I thought that was where you lived!  silly me - I'll get the hang of forums one day 

[happygolucky]

You are so brave taking on dogs with problems, I just want to add, with any behaviour, human or animal, its all about the environment and the situation, we all would act differently depending on where we are and who we are with and also how we feel, emotionally and physically, I know you will  know this but the best option is for some one to come and observe, they do not always have to be such a specialist to see what's happening, a bit of trial and error too. I used to have to observe interactions with children and parents etc. and although I could clearly see what was going on and how to correct it, I could not always apply in my own life......I also have a very good friend who used to manage a large  hotel and kept the cleaners on their toes, yet her  house was...errrrrrr dirty, anyway you are to be commended on the help  you are giving these dogs, poor things, some people place no value on any animal!!!

[shygirl]

You are so brave taking on dogs with problems, I just want to add, with any behaviour, human or animal, its all about the environment and the situation, we all would act differently depending on where we are and who we are with and also how we feel, emotionally and physically, I know you will  know this but the best option is for some one to come and observe, they do not always have to be such a specialist to see what's happening, a bit of trial and error too. I used to have to observe interactions with children and parents etc. and although I could clearly see what was going on and how to correct it, I could not always apply in my own life......I also have a very good friend who used to manage a large  hotel and kept the cleaners on their toes, yet her  house was...errrrrrr dirty, anyway you are to be commended on the help  you are giving these dogs, poor things, some people place no value on any animal!!!

definitely agree with this. is there a behaviourist near you? try asking the council as they (in scotland anyway) are promoting responsible dog ownership etc so have a list of dog trainers on their websites (unless aberdeenshire is unique in this ?) your vet will know  someone local to you.
caesar milans website is handy.
http://www.cesarsway.com/

we had a home visit last year from a trainer/behavourist when our 9 week old terrier bit my daughter quite badly and in a nasty way- over a bowl of pasta 
i was worried about doing the wrong with him, being so young, and having an professional there in your house to just watch helps enormously. stating the obvious - that you, as the owner, are blind to as things are too familiar to you.
the home visit was only £20 but was an enormous help, and i wouldnt describe us a dog amateurs either. everyone is oblivious to their own mistakes - i never realised i was so rough or ham-fisted with a young pup, but apparently i was ...lol. and preventing situations is 99% of the battle. ie - in our case - put the pup in the crate long before he knows pasta is about, and make sure the handler isnt a child. obvious really but sometimes we need telling!

im sure they will be someone near by who can help. positive training is the way to go, clicker training are very good. just use your judgement and if you dont like one instructor - try another.

good luck.

[happygolucky]

  , I have Labs that are so very very easy, it's not a dog behaviourist that I need..it's a husband one

[Kitchen Cottage]

Happygolucky, that's my problem, I've always been a gundog girl, spaniels and labs..... they just relax and get on (at least mine have).

I have rung a couple of people but they all claim to be members of different institutions and there are so many "professional bodies" some must be given away with cornflakes, what is the PROPER body for dog behaviourists?  I think getting one over is a good idea.  Still waiting for the rescue to come back....

[happygolucky]

Sounds like There is an opening for dog trainers in the world.